Carb Day

Carburetors are long gone, but the name sticks for the final practice before the Indianapolis 500 this weekend.

The traditions of Carb Day go well beyond the name. Today, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be full of festivities both on and off of the track. If you're heading out to the track, here's what you'll see today at the Brickyard.

PRACTICE

The biggest portion of Carb Day is for final tune up for the race on Sunday. The one-hour practice session for the IndyCars will be full of simulated fuel runs, pit stop practice, and just overall getting a shake down of the car.

All 33 cars will want to get a good chunk of track time today. It will likely only (only...ya, that's scary to say) get up to 80 degrees today during practice. Still, this weather will give good data for the race on Sunday (where the high temperature should be 94, race starting probably 85-90 degrees). Will it be the best data? No. But it's about as close as you can get beyond the minimal practice time on bump day. With 33 cars on track too, there is no better sim for race setup with the draft.

FIRESTONE INDY LIGHTS FREEDOM 100

After the Carb Day practice, the "minor leagues" of IndyCar take over. As part of the "Road to Indy" program, the Indy Lights series gives drivers a chance to run cars similar to the big series and run them on the same tracks. The winner of last year's Freedom 100 was Josef Newgarden, who starts 7th in the 500 this year.

PIT STOP COMPETITION

I only wish it went faster...the Competition allows team and pit members their chance at glory. There's a new format this year: it's about time from START TO FINISH, not just time IN THE BOX. Helio's team wins more often than not. But it's a fun way to end the day.

OTHER

Lynyrd Skynyrd plays in the afternoon. Autograph sessions throughout the day. Walks through Gasoline Alley. It will be a beautiful day at the Speedway. Enjoy it.